Thoughts on the Mafia Defense

Is the Mafia Defense of the Kings Gambit a viable opening for intermediate players?It has a great name and I would love to have a opinion on whether it is a good opening or not.

When did 800 blitz become "intermediate"?

Because Bacon, like in a myriad of other pass times and professions, many beginners have too big an ego to admit that they are beginners at Chess, so they want to refer to themselves as intermediate.

I don’t know why many people feel that the title of beginner is something to be ashamed of, given that it simply means they lack experience

The same is painfully true in the fitness industry for example, where many people refuse to even look at beginner programs because it’s “beneath them”, despite the fact that many of them are grown men with the musculature of a 15 year old girl, they desperately want to be seen as “intermediate” lifters, lest they face the reality that they have no idea what they’re doing.

I hear you BR.  But my biggest issue with this is that wasn't a "thing" until the internet.  I do not recall anyone overestimating their abilities in person, and in OTB play like they do online.  NO ONE in person shows up at a club and says: "Hey..I just learned to play chess, and I bought Devoretskys endgame book."  But here you see that suggested all the time for beginners. 

I just developed a passion for the gym a few months ago.  But I also did not start by heading straight for the machines in front of the mirrors so i could admire myself.  I started at where I am now.  The stationary weight machines, and gradually building up the weight i can lift.  I started on a recumbent bike for cardio, and graduated to stationary bikes. 

Im 58, and am only trying to improve my health, and not impress anyone with how much i can lift.    Besides as pasty white as my legs are, people leave me alone :-)

 

I think one factor of beginners overestimating themselves in terms of online Chess is the abundance of Chess streamers.

They see these titled players on Twitch, and many beginners incorrectly see them as just another “pro gamer” with the game just happening to be Chess, with the likes of Hikaru and Anish being no different to them than Ninja or Myth.

Given the number of titled players who have been signed by major Esport organizations, to an extent it’s forgivable that they misconstrue them as such.

With most video games, you don’t need to train since you were a small child to become a world-class player, quite the different story with Chess.

That’s one reason you see an upward trend in beginners with “road to GM” on their profile, they think becoming a GM is like becoming a top leaderboard player in League of Legends or what have you.

So they think “I’ll read Dvoretsky’s books, do some tactics, and play lots of blitz, and I’ll be just like Hikaru in five years!”

When in reality it is “I’ll ready books appropriate for my level, do tactics en masse, play longer time controls and analyze my games, and I’ll be a respectably strong tournament player in five years!”

P.S. Good to hear that you took up working out and staying healthy, keep up the good work! :)

And yes, unfortunately every gym has its share of attention starved posers, who come not for the camaraderie or self-improvement, but to garner more followers on Instagram.

I tried numerous gyms before i found one that works for me.  A good group of people, and not a single "muscle head".  No one strutting around flexing with the "look at me" look.  I have picked a few peoples brains on what and how to do things properly. 

As for video games?  I own a PS4 Pro and play 1 game - Sniper Elite 4.  Its always on the easiest level and its just something to do.  I dont do online gaming, as it has never interested me. 

Sadly we live in a world where we call people that have no specific skill set, hasn't accomplished anything major in life "influencers" and things like "youtube star".   These are the modern day "idols".  Here eat laundry soap and you too will be cool.

When you two are done bromancing can someone tell me wtf the mafia defense is? Sounds corny.

 

Thanks 😉

I wouldn't be caught dead playing either side of that 🤔

Didnt you read the OP's first post? 

It has a great name.

anyway

definitely not any good

Huge hole on d5 so after white plays 3. nc3 or Bc4 preventing d5 black is probably just worse

Learn an actual response to the King's Gambit if you're going to play 1. e5

This so called “bromancing” is simply a civil conversation.

Perhaps you struggle to have those?

Definitely 🤔

If nothing else, your honesty is respectable.

Some have to maintain that "e-thug" persona. 

I would say intermediate is when your rating stalls for at least a year, so really an under 1000 intermediate is possible.

I am 1300 rapid

The positional variation of the Mafia Defense is simply to great for black. The pawns are perfectly placed and only super GM's would play such a divine opening. Adhiban Bhaskaran plays this opening to perfection. You should checkout the video he made on it.

No engine could even think of playing such a marvelous opening